African Electoral Institute urges Police to Sanction Officer in Viral Video Displaying Political Affiliation

The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has called on the Ghana Police Service to take immediate action against a police officer who was seen publicly displaying her political affiliation in a viral video while in uniform. The AEI asserts that this behavior violates the laws, regulations, and code of ethics governing the Police Service.

According to the AEI, the officer’s actions breach the Police Service Act (Act 350) of 1970, which requires police personnel to remain neutral and impartial in the discharge of their duties. The act prohibits officers from participating in partisan political activities, such as endorsing or supporting political parties while in uniform or on duty. Additionally, the police code of ethics underscores the importance of neutrality and impartiality, forbidding officers from engaging in activities outside their official duties that could lead to political controversies.

The AEI stressed that some of the core values of the Ghana Police Service include protecting the rights of citizens, being impartial, and maintaining accountability to the community. Officers are expected to take initiatives but must refrain from taking sides in political matters.

The institute condemned the viral video, which shows the officer dancing and celebrating with members of a political party at the Electoral Commission’s office, stating that it undermines the neutrality and impartiality that police officers are sworn to uphold. The AEI emphasized that such actions are unlawful and contradict the professional standards required of officers, especially with the upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024.

In their statement, AEI urged the Ghana Police Service to sanction the officer involved, noting that it would serve as a deterrent to other officers and preserve the integrity of the Police Service. Ensuring the neutrality of law enforcement is seen as crucial to maintaining public confidence, particularly during the election period.

The call for action was signed by Joshua Adjin-Adjin Tettey, Director of Communications and External Relations at AEI, along with other key members of the Electoral Security Department.

Below is the full press statement

THE AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI) CALLS ON THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE TO SANCTION THE POLICE OFFICER PUBLICLY SHOWING HER POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN A VIRAL VIDEO

The African Electoral Institute is calling on the Ghana Police Service to take action against a police officer publicly seen in a viral video in uniform showing her political affiliation contrary to the Service laws, regulations, and code of ethics.

This call by the African Electoral Institute is necessary because a police officer by regulation and law is expected to remain neutral and impartial in their duties and should not publicly display their political affiliation.

The Police Service Act, (Act 350) 1970 emphasizes the importance of neutrality and impartiality among police officers and further prohibits officers from engaging in partisan political activities such as campaigning for, endorsing, or expressing support for a political party while in uniform or on duty.
Also, per the police code of ethics, and service instructions, it is an offence for an officer to engage in an activity outside official duties which is likely to involve the police officer in a political controversy.

Some of the core values of the Police Service are;
1. Protecting the rights of Ghanaians
2. Be impartial, respectful, open, and accountable to the community.
3. Neutrality, i.e., take initiatives but do not take sides.

African Electoral Institute states that a police officer is, under strict obligation to act impartially in accordance with the above-stated laws.
It is, therefore, unlawful to see a police officer in uniform dancing and celebrating with a political party right in the Electoral Commission’s office, publicly displaying her political identity, which has gone viral on social media violating the principles of neutrality and impartiality that the officer has sworn to uphold.

In conclusion, the African Electoral Institute strongly states that the Ghana Police Service should sanction this officer involved to serve as a deterrent to other police officers and to maintain the integrity and neutrality of the institution to shore up public confidence in its operations especially leading to the upcoming general elections on 7th December, 2024.

SIGNED:
Joshua Adjin-Adjin Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550

Ex. WO Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
Electoral Security Department
0243311965

Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174

Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh